FEBRUARY. 49 



racemes of white flowers marked with a few slender purple longitudinal lines. 

 Khasya. T. Nuttall, Esq. 



Torenia pulcherrima. (Illust. Bouq. t. 24.) A superb variety of T- 

 asiatica, different in being pubescent all over, with broad ovate leaves, and the 

 flowers intensely rich in colour — violet, with deep maroou spots and a white patch 

 on the lower lobe ; it far excels the older kind. India. Messrs. J. and C. Lee. 



Tradescantia discolor, var. variegata. (Bot. Mag. t. 5079.) A 

 beautiful form of a fine old-fashioned stove perennial, remarkable for the deep 

 purple of the under surface of the leaves. In this variety they are at the same 

 time striped ou the upper side with yellowish lines. The flowers are small 

 white, in curious boat-shaped bracts. 



XlPHlDIUM FLORIBUNDUJI, var. ALBIFLORUM. (Bot Mag. t. 5055.) An 

 Iris-like stove herb, with equitant leaves, and long raceme-like compound 

 thyrses of white star-shaped flowers. Tropical America. Kew Botanic Garden. 



HINTS TO LADY AMATEURS. 



Greenhouse. — The great secret of greenhouse management during 

 winter is abundance of air ; this may seem strange to those who 

 imagine greenhouse plants want coddling up, by keeping them close and 

 warm ; tires by night, and the house kept close all day, would ruin all 

 the greenhouse plants in Britain in a couple of months. Let the house, 

 then, be freely aired, every mild morning, from 10 to 12 or 1 o'clock, 

 and if at all damp, light a fire the first thing in the morning, and an 

 hour afterwards give air ; this will dry the atmosphere and keep the air 

 healthy. In frosty weather the house need not stand higher than 40° 

 by night, but let everything be as dry as possible ; all waterings should 

 be done in the mornings, that the paths and plants may get dry before 

 night, and if the frost becomes very severe, cover the roof with some 

 protecting material, as frigi domo, or even tiffany, sooner than keep 

 strong fires ; frequently change the plants about, remove decayed 

 leaves, and clean the surface soil in the pots. 



Floicer Garden. — All the autumn struck cuttings should be 

 examined, to see that they are free from drip or damp of any kind ; 

 these plants will stand a low temperature, if kept dry and free from 

 damp, so that the pits or frames should be kept as dry as is possible ; 

 give air every day except during severe frost. Chrysanthemums will 

 be cut down and placed in frames for shelter. 



There is nothing to be done out of doors, except keeping the Grass 

 clean, and to see that mice or sparrows do not eat up all your Crocuses. 

 Prepare, also, labels, clean pots, and get ready soil and sand for the 

 commencement of work in February, until which period let us defer 

 the rest. 



NEW PALACE FOR THE PEOPLE. 



An influential company is in course of formation, with the object of 

 erecting a second Crystal Palace under the above title at Musvvell Hill 

 — a delightful situation between Hornsey and Highgate, where an 

 estate of 450 acres, admirably adapted as a site for the proposed 



VOL. XII., NO. CXXXIV. E 



